Chapter XXXIV (continued, part 2)
iKuiu, where a still more extensive confederacy was formed among t he ruling powers, to oppose the further progress
liiterp<>se<l, a.ssistiug his people by means of a storm, which, having been probably gathering all day, burst with such irresistible fury, that " they were more which
of the Israelites. Jabin ("the Intelligent"), whic'h seems
dio<l with hailstones, than they wliom the children of Israel slew with the sword." The Oriental hail-s'orni is a terrific agent; the hailstones are masses of ice, large as walnuts, and sometimes as two fists; their prodigious
to have been a hereditary title (Judges 4. 2), took the lead, from Ilazor t)eing the capital of the northern rogiond-. 10).
It was situated ou the borders of lake Merom. The other
cities mentioned must have been in tlie vicinity, though their exact positiou is unknown. 2. tlie kbigs that were on the north of tlie. mountains—the Anti-liiianiis
size, and the violence with which they fall, make th<^m always very injurious to property, and often fatal to life. The mii-iiculous feature of this tempest, which fell on the Aniorite army, was the entire preservation of the Israel-
district, f lie plains south of t'liiitiierotli—the northern part of the Arabah, or valley of (he Jordan, the valley —the low and level countrj^ including the plain of Sharon, borders of Dor on tlic west—the highlands of Dor,
ites from its destructive ravages.
12-1.5. Thh Sun akd Moon Stand Still at TitE Word OFjOSHtTA. liJ-lij. Then spake Joshua to the lrt>i-d . . . and said in the sight of all Israel, Sum, stand still . . . and tlion, Moon—The inspired author here breaks oir the thread of ids history of this miraculous victory, to intnxluce a quotation from an ancient poem, in whicli tlie mighty acts of that day were commemorated. The passage, which is parenthetical, contains a jjoc^/eai description of the victorj' which was miraculously gained by the help of God, and forms an extract from " the book of Jasher," t. e., "the upright '—an antiiology, or collection of national songs, in honour of renowned and eminently pious heroes. The languajie of a poem is not to be literally interpreted, and therefore, when the sun and moon are personified, addressed as intelligent beings, and represented as staniling still, the explanation is, that the light of the sun and moon was supernaturally prolonged by the same laws of refraction and reflection that ordinarily cause the sun to appear above the horizon, when he is in reality below it. [Keil, Bush.] Gibeon (a hill) was now at the back of tiie Israelites, and the height would soon have intercepted the rays of the setting sun. The valley of AJalon (stags) was before them, and so near, that it was sometimes called "the valley of Gibeon." (Isaiah 28. 21.) It would seem, from v. 14, that the command of Joshua Wius in reality a prayer to God for the jjerformance of this miracle; and that, although the pray(:rs of eminently good men like Moses often prevailed with God, never wa.s there on any other occasion so astonishing a display of Divine power made in behalf of his people, as in answer to the prayer of Joshua. Ver. 15 Is the end of the quotation from Jasher; and it is necessary to notice this, as the fact described in it Is recorded In due course, and the eame words, by the sacred historian, f. 4.3.
reacliiiig to the town of Dor, on the Mediterranean coast, below mount Carinel. 3. t!ie Cnnaanife on the east and on tlie west—a particular branch of the Canaanitisli population who ticcupied the w<'stern bank of the Jordan as far uortliward as tlie sea of Galilee, and al.so the coasls of the Meiliterianenn Sea. under Heriuon—now Jebel-essheikh, was the northern boundary of Caiia.an on the east of the Jordan, land of Mlipcli—now (telo-Syria. 4, 5. tliey went out as tlic sand upon the sea-shore in multitude—The chiefs of these several tribes were sumnioued by Jabin, being all piolmbly tributary to the kingdom of Hazor; and their combined lorce.s, according tojosephus, amounted to 300,000 infantry, 10,000 cavalry, and 20,0IX) war chariots, witli horses and chariots very many—The war chariots were probably like those of Kgypt, made of wockI, but nailed and tipped with iron. These appear for the first time in the Canaanite war, to aid this last determined struggle against the invaders; and " it was the use of these which seems to have fixed the place of rendezvous by the lake Merom (now Huleh), along whose level shores they could have full play for their force." A host so formidable in numbers, as well as in military equipments, was sure to alarm and dispirit the Israelites. Joshua, therefore, was favoui'ed with a renewal of the Divine promise of victory (v. (i), and thus encouraged, he, in the full confidence of faith, set out to face the enemy, to-morrow, about this time, will I deliver them up all slain before Israel—As it was impossible to have marched from Gilgal to Merom in one day, we must sup-
. pose Joshua already moving north wai'd, and witliin a day's distance of the Canaanite camp, when the Lord gave him this assurance of success. With cliaraetoristio energy he made a sudden advance, probal)ly during the night, and "on the morrow fell" upon them like :i thunder-bolt, when scattered along the rising grounds (Sept.), before they had lime to rally on the plain. In the suddeu panic " the Lord delivered them Into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them." The rout was complete; some went westward, over the mountains, above the gor^e of the Leoutea, to tildou aud Misre|)hoth-maim
The Five Kings Hanged. Ver. 16-27. 16-37. these live kings hid themselves in a cave (Ileb., the cave) at Makkedali—The pursuit was continued, without interruption, to Makkedah, at the foot of the western mountains, where Joshua seems to have halted with the main body of bis troops, while a detachment was sent forward
Bounds of the Land not yet Conquered. JOSHUA XII—XIV. Inheritance'oj the Nine and a Half Tribrst.
<glass-smeUlng houses), In the neighbourhood, and others eastward to the plain of Mizpeh. tlicy left none remaining—of those whom they overtook. All those who fell into tiiehhands alive were slain. 9. Joshua did as Oie liord (i-. G) bade liim—Houghing the horses is done by cutting the sinews and arteries of their hinder legs, so that thry not only become hopelessly lame, but bleed to death. The reasons for this special command were, that the Lord designed to lead the Israelites to trust in Him, not in military resources (Psalm 20. 7); to show that in the land of promise there was no use of horses, and, finally, to discourage their travelling, as they were to be an agricultural, not a trading people. 11. lie burnt Hazor witli fire—calmly and deliberately, douljtless, according to Divine direction. 13. as for tlie cities that stood still in tlielr strength lit., " on their heaps." It was a Plicenieian custom to build cities on heights, natui'al or artificial. [Hengstenberg.] 16. So Joshua took all the landHere follows a general view of the conquest. The division of the country there into five parts, viz., the hills, the land of Goshen, i. e., a pastoral land near Gibeon (ch. 10.
sixty miles along the Mediterranean coast, and that of the Geshurites to thesouth of it (1 Samuel 27. 8). Both included that portion of the country " from Sihor which is before Egypt," a small brook near KI-Arish, wliich on the east was the southern boundary of Canaan, "to Ekron," the most northerly of the five cliief lordships or principalities of the Philistines, also tlie Avites : from (on) the south —The two clauses are thus connected in the Sepi uagint and many other versions. On being driven out (Deuteronomy 2. 2;?), they establi.shed themselves iu the south of Philistia. The second division of the uncouquered coun-
t*"y comprised all the land of tlie Canaanites, and Mear.ih (the cave) tliat is beside tlie Sidonians—a mountainous region of Upper Galilee, remarkable tor its caves and fastnesses, eastward unto Aphek (now Af ka), in Lebanon, to the borders of the Ammonites—a portion of the north-eastern territory that had belonged to Og. Tlie third district that remained unsubdued was, 5. all the land of the Giblites—their capital was Gehal or Bylbcs
(&')•.), on the Mediterranean, forty miles north of Sidon. all Lebanon towards the suurising i, e., Anti-libanus
the eastern ridge, which has its proper termination in Hermon. entering in of Ilamath—the valley of Baalbec. 6,7. all the inliabitants of tlie hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephotli-maim (see onch.ll.S)—that
41); the valley, the plains, the mountains of Israel, /. e., Carmel, rests upon a diversity of geographical positions, whicli is cliaracteristic of the region. 17. from the mount Halnk {Hib., the smooth niount^iin), that goeth np to Scir—an irregular line of white naked hills, about eighty feet high, and seven or eight geographical miles in length, that cross the whole Ghor, eight miles south of the Dead Sea, probably "the ascent of Akrabbim." [Robinson.] unto Baal-gnil in tl»e valley of Lebanon—the City or temple of the God of Destiny, in Baalbec. 23. Joshua took the whole land—The battle of the lake of Merom was to the north what the battle of Beth-lioron was to the .south ; more briefly told, but less complete in its consequencfs; but still the decisive conflict by which the whole u )rthern region of Canaan fell into the hands of Israel. ;;Stanley.]
is, " all the .Sidoniaiis and Phcenicians." them will I di-ive out—The fulfilment of this promise was conditional. In the event of the Israelites proving unfaithful or disobedient they would not sul>due the districts now speci-
fied, and, in point of fact, tlie Israelites never possessed them, though the inhabitants were subjected to tlie power of David and Solomon, only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance—The parenthetic section being closed, the historian here resumes the main subject of this chapter—the order of God to Joshua to make an immediate allotment of the land. The method of distribution by lot was, in all respects, the best that could have been adopted, as it prevented all ground of discontent, as well as charges of arbitrajy or partial conduct on tlie part of the leaders; and its being announced in the life of Moses (Numbers 33. ,^1), as the system according to which tlie allocations to each tribe should be made, was intended to lead tlie people to the acknowledgment of God a-s the proprietor of the land and having the entire right to its disposal. Moreover, a solemn appeal to the
Ver. 1-6. The Two Kings whose Countries Moses Took and Disi>osej> of. 1. Now these are the kings of Uie land which tlie cliildren of Israel smote, and possessed tlieir land on the other side Joi-dan—This chapter contains a recapitulation of the conquests made in the promiseil land, with tlie additional mention of some places not formerly noticed in tlie sjicrcd history. The river Anion on the south, and mount Hermou on the north, were the respective boundaries of the hiiid acquired by llie Israelites beyond Jordan (see on Numbers 21.21; Deuteronomy 2. 36; 3. 6-16).
lot showed it to be the dictate, not of human but Divine wisdom. It was used, however, only in determining the part of the country where a tribe was to be settled—the extent of the .settlement was to be decided on a ditTerent principle (Numbers 20. .^Vl), and what proves the overruling control of God, each tribe received the possession predicted by Jacob (Genesis 19.) and by Mo.ses (Deuteronomy
7-21. The One and thirty Kings on the West Side OF JOKDAN, WHICH JosHUA Smote. 7. Baal-gad even unto Unlak—(see on cli. 11. 17.) A listof tliirly-one chief towns is liere given ; and, as llie wliole land contained a superficial extent of only fifteen miles in length, by fifty In breadtli, it is evident that tliese capital cities btlonged to petty and insignificant kingdoms. With a few exceptions, tliey were not the scenes of any important events recorded in llie sacred history, and therefore do not require a particular notice.
33). 8. with whom— //c^., "him." The antcci-dent is evidently to Manasseh, not, however, the half tribe just mentioned, lint the other half; for the historian, led, as it wore, by the sound of the word, l>reaks otl'to <lescribe tlio po.ssessions lieyond Jordan already assigned to Ueuben, Gad, and the half of Manas.seli (see on Numliers 32.; Deuteronomy 3. 8-17). It may lie proper to r<'mai-U that it was wise to put tlie.se boundaries on record, as, in (^ase of any misunderstanding or dispute arising about the e.xacl limits of each district or property, an appeal could always be made to this authoritative document, and a full knowledge as well as gnvteful siMise obtained of what they kind received from'GcKl (Psalm 16. 6).
Ver. 1-3.'?. Bounds of the liAND not ykt Conquered. I. Now .loKhua was old and stricken in yi-ars—Ho was probalily al)OV(^ n huii(h'ed y(^ars old ; for t lie conquest and survey of the land occupied about seven years, the partition one: and ho died at the age of 110 years (di. ai. 29). The distribution, as well as the couciuest of the laud, was included in tlie mission of Josliua ; !ind his advanced age supplied a special reason for wutering on the Immediate discharge of tliat duty, viz., of alloi^ating Canaan amongst the tribes of Israel—not only the parts alreaciy won, liut those also which were still to lie ('onqucred. 5i-0. Tl>l» is the land that yet reinaineth— i. c., to be actiuired. This section forms a parenthesis, in which the historian briefiy notlc(!s the <listrlcts yet unsubdued—viz.. Hist, the whole country of thel'hilistlncs—u narrow tractstrelchingaliout
Ver. l-r>. The Nine Tuihes and a h.\t,f to havb their Inheritance TiY Lor. 1. These are the countries which (he elilldren of I»irael inherited in the land of Canaan—Tliis chapter forms the iiitroducti<m to an account of the allocation of the land west of Jordan, or Canaan proper, to the nine tnlics and a half. It was also made liy lot in presence of a select number of superintendents, appointed according to Divine directions given to Mos(>s (see on Nnuibers 31. 16-U9). In every thing porlivtulug to civil goverumeut, aud cvcu xhe divlsilou of
iril.l. CfU N'TliV OF I.f:l!\NON.
JOSHUA XV, XVI.
Calebs Portion and Conquat.
Borders of the Lot of Jxidak.
the land, Joshua was the acknowledged chief. But in a ma tter to be determined by lot, a solemn appeal was made to <iod, and hence Eleazar, as high priest, is named before
Heb., the ascent of scorpions; a pass in the "bald mountain" (see on ch. 11. 17), probably much infested by these venomous reptiles. 5. the end i.e., tlie mouth of the Jordan. 6. Beth-hogla—now Ain Hailjla, a fine spring of clear and sweet water, at the northern extremity of the Dead Sea, about two miles from the Jordan. [Robinson.] Betii-arabah—the house, or place of solitude, in the desert of Judah {v. 61). stone of Bohan the son of Reuben— the sepulchral monument of a Reubenite leader, who had been distinguished for his bravery, and had fallen In the Canaanite war. 7. Achor—(see on ch. 7. 26.) Adummim —a rising ground in the wilderness of Jericho, on the south of the little brook that flowed near Jericho (eh. 16. 1). Kn-shemesh—the fountain of the sun ; " either the present well of the apostle, Ijelow Bethany, on the road to Jericho, or the fountain near to St. Saba." [Robinson.] En-rogel—the fuller's fountain, on tlie south-east of Jerusalem, below the spot where the valleys of Jehoshaphat and Hinnom unite.
Jofeliua. I. Tlie children of Joseph were two tribes, Manassch and Ephralm—As two and a half tribes were settled on the east of Jordan, and the Levites had no inheritance assigned them in land, there would have been only eight tribes and a half to provide for. But Ephraim BBd Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph, had been constituted two tribes (Genesis 48. 5), and although Levi was excluded, the original number of the tribes of Israel was
still preserved. 5. the children of Israel divided the land i. e., they made the preliminary arrangements for the work. A considerable time was requisite for the survey and measurement.
fr-15 Caleb by privilege beqciretii and obtaineth HebkoN. 6-11. then the children of Judah came to Joshua In Gllgal; and Caleh said—Tliis incident is recorded here, because it occurred while the preparations were being made for casting the lots, which, it appears, were begun in Gilgal. The claim of Caleb to the mountains of Hebron as his personal and family possessions, was founded on a solemn promise of Moses, forty-five years before (Numbers 14.24; Deuteronomj1. 36), to give him that land on account of his fidelity. Being one of the nominees appointed to preside over the division of the country, he might have been charged with using his powers as a commissioner to his own advantage, had he urged his request in private; and therefore he took some of his brethren along with him as witness of the justice and propriety of his conduct. 12. give me this mountain, whereo* the Lrord spake In tliat day—this higlaland region, for tltoii licardest in tliat day how the Anakims were there—The report of the spies wlio tried to kindle tlie flame of sedition and discontent, related chielly.to the people and condition of this mountain dis-
13-15. Caleb's Portion and Conquest. 13. unto Caleb he gave a jjart among the children of .Jiidah—(See on ch. 14.6-15.) li. Drove thence the tliree sons of Anak —rather three chiefs of the Anakim race. This exploit
is recorded to the honour of Caleb, as the success of it waa the reward of his trust in God. 15. Debir—oracle. Its former name, Kirjath-sepher, signifies "cityof thebook," being, probaljl}',a place wliere public registers were kept.
16-20. Othniel, for his Valour, hath Achsah to Wife. 16-20. He that smiteth Kirj.itU-sei>her— This olTer was made as an incentive to youthful braverj' (see on 1 Samuel 17.25); and the. prize was won by Othniel, Caleb's yoimger brother (Judges 1.13; 3.9). This was the occasion of drawing out tlie latent energies of him who was destined to be the first judge in Israel. 18. as she came unto him i. e., wlien about to remove from her father's to her husband's house. Slie suddenly alighted from her travelling equipage—a raarli; of respect to her father, and a sign of making some request. She had urged Othniel to broach the matter, but he not wishing to do what appeared like evincing a grasping disposition, she resolved herself to speak out, and taking the advantage of the parting scene, when a parent's heart was likely to be tender, begged that, as her marriage portion consi.sted of a field which, having a southern exposure, was comparatively an arid and barren waste, he would add the adjoining one, which aljoun<led in excellent springs. The request being reasonable, was granted ; and the story conveys this important lesson in religion, that
trict, and lience it was promised as the reward of Caleb's
trutl), piety, and faithfulness. 13, 14. Joshua hlessed him, and gave Hehron unto Caleb for an Inheritance —.Joshua, who was fully cognizant of the whole circumstances, not only admitted the claim, but in a public and earnest manner prayed for the Divine blessing to succour the efforts of Caleb in driving out the idolatrous occupiers. 15. Kirjath-arba — i. e., the city of Arba— a warrior among the native race remarkable for strength and stature, tlie land Iiad rest from war—Most of the kings having been slain and the natives dispirited, there was no general or systematic attempt to resist the progress and settlement of the Israelites.
if earthly parents are ready to bestow on their oliildren that which is good, much more will our heavenly Father give every necessary blessing to them who ask him.
21-63. Cities of Judah. 31-33. tlie uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah—There is given a
Ver. 1-12. Borders of the Lot of Judah. 1. This then wag the lot of the tribe of Judah—In what manner the lot was drawn on this occasion the sacred historian does not say; but it is probable that tlie method adopted was similar to that descril)ed in cli. 18. Though the general survey of the country hfid not been completed, some rough drauglit or delineation of the first conquered part must have been made, and satisfactory evidence olitained, that It was large enough to furnish three cantons, before all the tribes cast lots for them; and they fell to Judah, Epiiralm, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The lot of Judah came first, m token of the pre-eminence of that tribe overall the others; and its destined superiority thus received the visible sanction of God. The territory assigned to It as a possession, was large and extensive, being bounded on the south by the wlldern<'ss of Zin, and the southern extremity of the Salt Sea (Number.s 34. .3-5) ; on th« east, by that sea, extending to the point where it receives the waters of tlie Jordan ; on the north, by a line drawn nearly parallel to Jerusalem, across the country, from the northern extremity of the Salt Sea to the southern limits of the Philistine territory, and to the Meditej-ranean ; aii<l on the west tliis sea was its boundary, a.s far as Slhor (Wady EI-Arish). tt, the bay—IIeb., the " tongue." It pushes Its waters out in this form to a great distance. [Uobinson.] 3. Maaleh - akrabbim
list of cities within the trilial territory of .Indali, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which
it consisted—the cities in the southern part (21-32)—tin se in the lowlands (33-47), and those in the higlilands (4S-60) —those in the desert (61, 62). Tlie best idea of the relative situation of these cities will be got from looking at the map.
CHAPTEE XVI.
Ver. 1-J. The General Borders of the Sons o» Joseph. 1. The lot of the children of .Tosopli fell Heb., went forth, referring eitlier to the lot as drawn out of the urn, or to the tract of land thereby assigned. The
first four verses describe the territoi-y allotted to the family of Joseph in the rich domains of central Palestine, It was drawn in one lot, that the brethren might be contiguously situated; but it was afterwards divided. The southern boundary only is described here, that on the north being irregular and less defined (ch. 17. 10, 11), is not mentioned, mount Betli-el—llu' ridge south of Both-el. water of .Terlclio (2 Kings 2. 1!))—at the point of its junction with the Jcudan. Having described the position of Joseph's family generally, tlie historian proceeds to define the territory ; first, of Ephraim.
5-9. TuE Borders of the Inheritance of Kphbaijc
The Lot of Manas teh. JOSHUA XVII, XVIII. The Tabernacle Set up at Shiloh,
B^9. tlie border of their Inlieritauce was Atarotli-adar
near to each other, and tliej are generally mentioned in Scripture together. They were both royal and strongly
—Atarolh-adar (now Atara), four miles south of Jetta (RoBixsoN], is fixed on as a centre, through which a line
fortified places (see on Judges 1. 27).
12,13. Canaanites NOT DmVEN Out. 13, 13. Manasseh could not drive out the Inhabitants of tliose cities—indolence, a love of ease; perhaps a mistaken humanity, arising from a disregard or forgetfuluess of the Divine command, a decreasing principle of faith and zeal in the service of God, were the causes of 'heir
Is drawn from Upper BeDi-horon to Michniethali, showing
thfc western limit of their actual possessions. The tract bej ond that line to the sea was still unconciuered. G, 7. Mit-ltmi'tliali on tlie itortk side—The uoi lliern boundary is traced from this point eastwai'd to the Jordan. 8. from TappuaU -westward luito tlie river Ivaiiali— it is retraced from east to west, to describe the prospective and intended boundary, which was to reach to the sea. Kanah (reedy) flows into the Mediterranean. 0. separate cities for tUe childk-eii of Eplu'aim were aiitoug tike Inlieritauce of Maiiasseli— (ch. 17. 9), because it was found that the tract allotted to Ephraim was too small in proportion to its population and power. 10. Tliey drave not out tlie Caiiaaiiites, but tlie Caiinaiiites dwell among tUe Epttraimites unto tliis day, and serve under triJuite—This is the first mention of flie fatal
failure.
14-18. The Children of Joseph Sue for Another Lot. 14-lS. The children of Joseph spake unto Joshua—The two tribes join in laying a complaint before the
leader, as to the narrow boundaries of their allotment, and its insulticiency to be the residence of trilies so vastly increased. But Joshua's answer was full of wisdom aa well as patriotism. Knowing their character, he treated them accordingly, and sarcastically turned all their arguments i\gainst themselves. Thus he rebuked their uidie-
lief and cowardice. Mount Kphraini—called so lu re by anticipation. The Gilboa range between Beth-sliean and the plain of Jezreel is meivnt, anciently covered with an extensive forest, iron chariots—unusually strengthened with that metal, and perhaps armed with projecting scythes.
policj' of the Israelites, in neglecting the Divine command (Deuteronomy 20. Iti) to exterminate the idolaters.
Ver. 1-6. I.OT OF Manasseh. 1. There M-as also a lot for the fritie of MajiasseU—Ephraim was menlioned, as the more numerous and powerful branch of tlie family of Joseph (Genesis J.S. ID, a)) ; but Manasseh still retained the
CHATTER XVITI.
Ver. ]. The Tabeunaci.e set up at Shiloh. 1. The whole congregation assembled togetlier at ShilpT.i—The main bod.v of the Israelites had been diminished by the separation of the three tribes, Judali, Kpliraim, and Manasseh into their respective allotments, and the country having been in a great measure subdued, the camp was removed to Shi loll—now Seilun. It M"as twenty or twenty-
riglit of primogeniture, and had a separate inheritance assigned. Machir—liis descendants, the father of Gilead
—though he had a son of that name (Numbers 'iO. 20; 27. 1), yet, as is evident from the use of the Jhb. a'rticlo, reference is made, not to the person, but the province of Gilead. Father here means lord or possessor of Gilead; and this view is confirmed by the fact, that it was not Machir, but his descendants, who subdued Gilead and Baslian (Numbers 82.41; Deuteronomy 3. l:?-!.*)). These Wacliiriles h;Hl tlieir jjortion on tlie east side of Jordan. The western portion of land, allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, was divided into ten portions, because the male descendants who had sous consisted of five fami-
five miles north of Jerusalem, twftlve north of Bethel, and ten south of Shechem, and embosomed in a rugged and romantic glen. This sequestered spot in the heart of the country might have been r(-coinmended b.v the dictates of convenience; there the allotment of fbe territory could be most conveniently made, north, .south,
east, and west, to the different tribes. But "the tabernacle of the congregation was also set up there," and it3 removal therefore must have been made or sanctioned by Divine intimation. (Deuteronom.v 12.11.) It remained iu Shiloh for more than :!(K) years. (1 .Samuel 1. 1-11.)
lies, to wliich, consequently, five shares were given; and the Kixth family, viz., the posterity of Hoplier, being all females, the five daughters of Zelopliehad were, on application to the \aluators, endowed each with an inheritance ill land (see on Numbers 27. 1).
2-0. Tin-, Remainder ok the L.\nd Desckihed. 3. there remaineil seven trllies which had not yet received their inheritance-The selection of Shiloh for the
7-11. This Coast. 7-11. the coast of Itlanasseh was ft-om Asher to Michmethah—the southern boundary is here traced from tlie east. Asher (now Yasir), tlie starting-point, was a lown fifteen Uoman miles east of Sicliein, and anciently a place of importance, it. the c€>ast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river—The line which separated the possessions of the two brothers from each other ran to tlie south of the Btreain; and thus the river was in the territory of Manasseh ; but the cities wlii<-h were upon the river, though
seat of worship, together with the con.sequent ri>moval of the camp thither, had necessarily interrupted the casting
of lots, which was commenced by fi.xliig localities for tlio
trll)es of Judah and Joseph. Various causes led to a long
dela.v in r(\suming it. The satisfaction of the peoiile with
their change to so pleasant and fertile a district, their preference of a nomad lite, a love of ease, and reluctance
to renew the war, seem to have made them IndKlerent to the iiossessioii of a settled Inheritance. But Joshua was too much alive to the duty laid on him by the Lord to let matters continue in tliat state;'and accoVdingly, since a general conquest of the land had been made, he resolve<l
all were within the limits of Manasseh's possessions, were as.signed partl.y to Kpliraim, ami partly to Manasseh; those on the south .side being given to the former; those upon the north to the latter. [Kkii,.] It appear.s
to jirooMvl immediately with the lot, believing that when each tribe should receive Its inheritance, a new motive would arls(- to lead tlu>m to exert themselves in securing the full iiossessiou. :t. liow long are ye slack to go to possess Die land which the Lord <>od of your falhei-g hath given you—This reproof conveys an impression that the si'ven tribesWvro dilatory to a criminal extent. 4-0. give out from among you lliree men for each trll>e —Though the lot determined the part of the country where each tribe was to be located. It could not determino the extent of territory which might be required ; !ind the dis.satisfactlon of the children of Joseph with the alleged smallness of their possession gave reason to f(vir that complaints might arise from other quarti'rs, unless precautions were taken to make a proper distribution of the land. For this purpose acommission was given to Vventvone persons—three chosen IVom each of Ihesi ven trtoes which Imd not yet received their inluuitauce, to make tUft
(u. lOi that Mannsseh was still further Interlaced with Other iii ighboui'liig triltes. Keth-shean and B>er towii.s — rvr., Scythopolis (now lieisaii), in the valle.v of the.Iordan, towards the east end of the plain of Jezreel. " IJethshean" means "house o^rest;" so called from Its lieing the halling-pliice for caravans travelling bet ween Syria, or Midiaii, and Egypt, and the great station for the commcici' between these countries for ma iiy c<-iit uries. Ibleaivi aiKl lier towns—In the nciglibourliood of Megidilo (2 Kings 0. 27). the Inhabitants of lior and her towns—(now Tantoura), anciently a strong fortress; a wall of wild precipitous rock defended the shore fortitU^atlons against attack from the land side. Kn-dor and her towns—situaleil on a, rock.v e iilnence, four Kniiiaii miles Bouth of Tabor, three counti 'es—districts or pidvinces.
It Is computed that Manasseh possessed In Asher and Issachar portions of ground to he extent of more than
900 Bquare miles. Taunach nuu niegtddo—These were 154
T7i€ Lots of Simeon, etc. JOSHUA XIX, XX. The Citie.1 of Refuge Commavdei.
accurate survey of tlie country. "They went and passed through the land and described it by cities in seven parts in a book" (D. 9); dividing the land according to its value, and tlie worth of the cities which it contained, into seven ecjui. portions. This was no light task to undertake. It required learning and intelligence which they or their instructors had, in all probability, brought with them out of Kgypt. Accordingly, Josephus says that the survey W!is performed by men expert in geometry. And, in fact, the circ-imstiintial iiccount which is given of the boundaries of each trilie and its situation, well proves it to have been tiie work of no mean or incompetent hands.
Zebul an and Naphtali, and ran northwards as faras Cabin, with otlier towns, amongst which is mentioned {v. 28) "great Zidon," so called on account of itsbeiugcven then the flourishing metropolis of the I'hcenicians. Though included in the inheritance of Asher, this town was never possessed by tliem. (Judges 1. 31.) ao. and llien tlie coast tunietli to Ramah—now El-IIanua, which stood where the Leontes (Litany) ends its soutlunn course and flows westward, and to the strong city Tyre—tlie original city appears to have stood on the main land, and was well fortified. From Tyre the boundary ran to Ilosah, an inland town; and then passing the unconquered district of Achzib (Judges 1. 31), terminated at the sea-coast.
10. DivinEn nv Lot. 10. Joshua cast lots for tliem
III SJilloh before tUe Loitl—before the tabernacle, where the 1 li vijie presence was manifested, and which associated Willi tlulot llie idea of Divine sanction. 11. tJie lot of fSeiijaiuin cniue up—l. has been supposed that here were two urns or vessels, from wliicli the lots were drawn : one containing the names of tlie tribes, the other containing those of the seven portioi...-;; ami lhat the two were drawn out simultaneously. The coast of their lot cniuc forth between the clitlitrcii of .lutlah and the cliilclreii of Joseph—Thus the prophesy of Moses respecting the inheritance of l)en.jainin was remarkably accomplished.
32-39. Of NaphtaIvI. 3^39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali—Althougii tlie cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, i.e., on tlie nortii-west of Lake Merom (Judges 4. 11), that the boundary described
(),'. 34) ran from the south-west towards tlie north-east, up to the sources of the Jordan. Axnot3I-t.^^>or—on the east of Tabor towards the Jordan, for the border ran thence to Hukkok, touching upon that of Zebulun; and as the territory of Zelmlun did not extend as far as tlie Jordan, Aznotli-tabor and Ilukkok must have been border towns on the line which separated Naphtali from Issachar. to •Ixidah «ipon Jordan toward tlte sms-rising—The sixty
'.See on Deuteronom.v 3:!. 1'2.)
cities, Ilavoth-Jair, wliich were on tiie eastern side of the Jordan, opposite Naphtali, were reckoned as belonging to .Tudah, because Jair, their possessor, was a descendant of Judah (1 Clironicles 2. 4-22). [Keil.]
Ver. l-n. TllK Lot OF Si.MKOX. 1. the secoml lot came foi-th to .Simeon—The next lot that was tirawn at Sliiloli, giving tlie triljeof Sinu'or, his inheritance witliin theter-
41)—IS. Of Dan. 40-46. the sevemtlx lot came out for
tlie tribe of Dan— It lay on the west of Benjamin, and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and f;phraini. Its boundaries are not stated, as the.v were easil.v <listinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes. 47. the children of Dan went np to tight against Leshem—Tlie Danites, finding their inheritance too small, meditated enlarging its boundaries
ritor.v, wliich liad been assigned to that of Jndah. The knowledge of Canaan possessed b.v the Israelites, when
tlie division of the land commenced, was but very genei-al, being di'rived from the rapid sweep tliey had made over
it (hiring the course of conquest; and it was on tlie ground of that rough survey alone, that the distribution proceeded, by which Judah received an inheritance. Time showed that this territor.v was too large (y. 9), either for their numbers, however great, to occup.v, and their arms to defend, or too large In proportion to the allotments of the other tribes. Justice therefore required, what kind and brotherly feeling readily dictated, a modification of thei r possession, and a part of it was appropriate<l to Simeon. B}^ thus establishing it within the original domain of another tribe, the prophesy of Jacob in regard to Simeon was fulfilled (Genesis ^19. 7); for from its boundaries being not traced, there is reason to conclude that its people were divided and dispersed among those of Judah; and though one group of its cities named (2-0), give the idea of a compact district, as it is usually represented by mapmakers, the other group (7, 8) were situated, two in the south, and two elsewhere, with tracts of the country around them.
b,v the sword; and, having conquered Leshem (Laish), planted a colony there, calling the new settlement by the name of Dan (see on Judges IS).
49-r)l. The Cmi^nitEN of Israel give an Inheritance TO JOSHTJA. 49-31. According to the word of the Lord, tliey gave htm the city %vhic8i he aslked—It was most proper that the great leader should receive an inheritance suited to his dignit.y, and as a reward for his public services. But the gift was not left to the spontaneous feelings of a grateful people. It was conferred "accoiding to the word of the Lord"—probal)ly an unrecorded promise, similar to what had been made to Caleb
(ch. 14. 9). Timnath-serali—or Heres, on Mount Gaasli (Judges 2. 9). Joshua founded it, and was afterwards buried there (ch. 24. 30). 51. These are the inheritances —This verse is the formal close of the section which narrates the history of the land distribution ; and to stamp it with due importance, the names of the commissioners are repeated, as well as the spot where so memorable a transaction took place.
10-1(). Of Zkbi'I.un. 10-14. the third lot came up for Hie children of Zebnlmi—The boundaries of the possession assigned to them extended from the Lake of Cinneroth (Sea of Galilee) on the east, to the Mediterr.anean on the west; for although the.v do not seem at first to have touched on the western shore—a part of Manasseh running north into Asher (ch. 17. 10)—tliey afterwards did, according to the prediction of Moses. (Deuteronomy .33. 19.) The extent from north to south cannot be verv exactly traced ; the sites of many of the places through which the boundary line is drawn being unknown. Some of the cities were of note.
CHAPTEE XX.
Ver. 1-6. The Lord Commands the Cities of Refuge.
1. the Liord spake iinto .Joshua, Appoint out for you
cities of refuge—(See Numbers 35. 9-28 ; Deuteronomy 19.
1-13.) The command here recorded was given on their going to occupy their allotted settlements. The sanctuaries were not temples or altars, as in other countries, but inhabited cities; and the design was not to screen criminals, but only to affbrd the homicide protection from the vengeance of the deceased's relatives, until It should have been ascertained whether tliedwith had resulted from accident and momentary passion, or from premeditated malice. The institution of the cities of
17-23. Of Ishaciiab. 17-20. the fonrth lot cnme ont to Issachar—Instead Of describing the boundaries of til is tribe, the inspired historian gives a list of its principal cities. These cities are all In the eastern part of the plain of Esdraelon.
Of Asher. 84-31. the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Aslier—The western boun<iary is traced from north to south through the cities mentioned ; the site of which, however, is unknown. toCarmeland Shilior-ltbnatli—i.e., the black or muddy river; probably the Nahr Belka, below Dor (Tantoura); for that town belonged lO Asher (ch. 17. 10). Thence the boundary line tnrned eastward to Beth dagon, a town at the Junction of
refuge, together with the rules prescribed for the guidance of those who sought an as.ylum within their walls, was an important provision, tending to secure the ends of justice as well as of mercy. 4. lie that doth flee unto one of thoae cities shall stand at the entering of tb*
Fi/ny-eiglil Cities given to the Levites. JOSHUA XXI,.XXII. Altar of Testimony ButU.
gate of the city—It was the place of public resort, and on arriving tliere he related his tale of distress to tlie elders, who were bound to give him shelter and the means of support, until the local authorities {v. 6), having carefullyinvestigated the case, should have pi'onounced the decision. If found guilty, the manslayer was surrendered to the blood-avenger; if extenuating circumstances appeared, he was to remain In the city of refuge, where he would be safe from the vindictive feelings of his pursuers; but he forfeited the privilege of immunity the moment he ventured beyond the walls, until tJie deatU of tlie liigli priest—his death secured the complete deliverance of the manslayer fi-ora liis sin, only because he had been anointed with tlie holy oil (Numbers 3,5. '25), tlie symbol of the Holy Glrost; and thus the death of the earthly high priest became a type of that of the heavenlyone (Hebrews 9. M, 15).
from ch. 13., which narrates the occupation of the land by the Israelites. All the promises made, whether to the people or to Joshua (ch. 1. 5), had been, or were in the course of being fulfilled; and the recorded experience of the Israelites (u. 45), is a ground of hope and confidence to the people of God in every age, that all other promises made to the Church will, in due time, be accomplished.
Ver. 1-9. Joshua Dismisses the T-\vo Tribes and a half with a Blessing. 1. then Joshua called the Reubenitcs and the Gadites, and the Italf trihc of Manasseli—The general war of invasion being ended, and the enemy being in so dispirited and isolated a condition, that each tribe, by its own resoui ces, or with the aid of its neighbouring tribe, was able to repress any renewed hos-
7-9. The Israelites Appoint by Name the Cities OF Refuge. 7-9. tliey appointed cities— There were six; three on the west, and three on the east, of Jordan. In the first instance, they were a provision of the criminal law of the Hebrews, necessary in the circumstances of that people (see on Numbers 35.9-15; Deuteronomy
tilities, the auxiliary Israelites from the eastern side of the Jordan were now discharged from service. Joshua dismissed them with high commendations of their fidel-
ity, and earnest admonitions to cultivate perpetual piety in life. The redundancy of the language is remarkable, and shows how important, in the judgment of the veuei'able leader, a steadfast observance of the Divine law was to personal happiness, as well as national prosperity. 3. ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day—For the space of seven years. 4-7. get ye unto your tents i. e., home ; for their families had been
19.); and at the same time they wei'e designed also typically to point out the sinner's way to Christ (Hebrews
6. 18). CHAPTER XXI.
left in fortified towns (Numbers 32. 17). 8. he spalce unto tliem, saying, Return with much riches—In cattle, clothes, and precious metals, divide the spoil of yom* enemies with your hrethren—see on Numbers 31. 2.T-39.
Ver. 1-8. Eight and Forty Cities given by Lot ottt OF the other Tribes unto the Levites. 1. Then came near IJie heads of the fathers of the Levites—the most venerable and distinguished members of t)ie tliree
10. They Build the Altar of Testimony on their Journey. 10. when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are In the land of Canaan . . . the e4illdren of Reuben . . . built there an altar—This altar was probably an immense pile of stones and earth. The generality of our translators suppose that it was reared on the banks of the Jordan, within the limits of Canaan proper. But a little closer examination seems to make the conclusion irresistible that its position was on the etistern side of the river, for these two reasons; first, because it is said (v. 11) to have been built "over against," or in the sight of the land of Canaan—not within it; and secondly, because the declared motive of the transjordanic Israelites in erecting it was to prevent their brethren in Canaan ever saying, " in time to come. What have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel ? For the Lord hath made Jordan a barrier between us and you," &c. 8uch a taunt would be obviously prevented or coufutinl by the two tribes and a half having on the eastern side of Jordan, within their own land, a fac-simile of the altar at Shlloh, as a witness they acknowledged the same God, and practised the same rites of worship as the brethren in Canaan.
Ijevitieal families who, on behalf of their trilie, applied for the special provision that had been promised them to be now awarded (see on Numbers 35. 1-5). Their inheritance lay within the territory of every tribe. It was asBlgned in the same place and manner, and by the same commissioners as the other allotments; and wliile the people, knowing the important duties they were to perform, are described (v. 3) a.s readily conceding this " peculiar" to them, it had most probably been specified and reserved for their use while the distriliution of tlie land was in progress. 4r-8. the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites—The Levites were divided into Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites. Among the former the family of Aaron were exclusively appointed to tlie priesthood, and all the rest were ranked in tlio common order of Levites. The first lot was drawn by the Koliatli-
ites; and the first of theirs again by the priests, to whom thirteen cities were granted, and ten to the rest of the Kohathites (v. 5); thirteen to the Gershonites (i'. 6), and twelve to the Merarites (u. 7).
9-42. The Cities of the Priests. 9-49. they gave these cities wliich are mentioned l>y name — It was overruled l)y tlie unerring provideiK-e of the Divine Lawgiver, tliat tlie cities of tlie priests lay williin tlio territories of Judah and Benjamin ; and tliis was a jirovision, the admiralile wisdom and propriety of which were fully manifested on the scliisin tliat toolc plac«! in tlie reign of ReholiOftin. 41. all tlie cities of the Levites wit liin the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suhnrlis—Til is may appear too great a proportion compared witli tliose of tlio other tribes. Hut it must be borne in mind that the list given here contains the names of every Levitlcal city (see on
11-29. Contention Thereupon, 11-29. and the children of Israel liear<1 say—Fame speedily sjiread intelligence of what the transjordanic tribes had done. The act being suspected of some idolatrous design, the whole tribes ro.se In a mass, and repairing to the tabernacle at Shiloh, resolved to declare war against the two tribes and a half as apostates from God. On calmer and more mature coiislch^ration, however, they diitdrinlned, in the first instance, to send a deputation consisting of the son of the high priest, and ten eminent persons from each tribe, to make iiKiuiry into tills rumoured rebellion against God (DeuleroiKiniy 13. 13-15). The quality of the deputies evinced the deep solicitude th.at was felt on the occasion to maintain the purity of the Divine worship throughout Israel. In the presumptive belief that the two tribes and a half had really built an altar, the deputies expressed astonishment at their so soon falling Into such n heinous crime as that of violating the unity of divine worship (I'lxodus 20.24; Leviticus 17. S, 9; Deuteronomy 12.5-13), reminded their eastern brethrc'n of the disastrcais consequeiutes that were entailed on the nation at large by the apostasy at Peor and by the sin of Achan, and finally tjv. horted them, If they felt the want of the tabernacle and
1 Chronicles 0.39-00); whereas only those cities of the other tribes are mentioned which lay on the frontier or along the boundary line. Besides, the Levites were not the exclusive inhabitants of those forty-eight cities; for there must have been also a considerable number of people kept there to cultivate the glebe lands and tend the cattle. Still further, the Levitlcal cities had nothing but "their suburbs—a limited circuit of ground—round about them ;" wluM-eas the other cities In Israel possesaed a group of Independent vlllagesCsee chaps. 17.-19).
43-^5. (Joi) Gave TirKM Husr. 43-4.'>. The liord gave unto Israel all tite land which he sware to give unto their fathers-This isa general winding up of tlie history
Joshua!s Exhortation before his Death. JOSHUA XXIII, XXIV. He Assembles the Tribes.
them with the certain withdrawal of the Divine aid In the further expulsion of the Canaanites; a tlireat foundea on Exodus 23. 33; Numbers 33. 55; Deuteronomy 7. 16.
altar, and repented of their rasli choice in preferring worldly advantages to religious privileges, to remove to the western side of the Jordan, where the whole tribes would form a united and obedient community of worship-